NOW, PAK GETS ITS OWN DRONE FLEET

Pakistan on Monday inducted its first fleet of ‘indigenously developed’ strategic drones into the army and air force, with the military describing them as a “very effective force multiplier”. The Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) with surveillance capability are named Burraq and Shahpar. “It is a landmark and historic event, wherein a very effective force multiplier has been added to the inventory of the armed forces,” said a statement from the military’s media wing. It did not give further details about the UAVs. In future, the UAVs could be used for “various socio-economic development projects”, the statement said.

Outgoing army chief Gen Ashfaq Parvez Kayani too described the UAVs as a force multiplier. The drones will substantially enhance the military’s “target acquisition capabilities in real time”, he said. The US has turned down Pakistan’s repeated requests for supplying sophisticated UAVs like the Predator, which have been used for attacks in the country’s restive tribal belt, and drone technology.
The ceremony marking the induction of the UAVs was attended by Kayani, Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Strategic Plans Division chief Lt Gen (retired) Khalid Ahmed Kidwai and senior officers from the armed Forces, scientists and engineers. Original Article